Review of Medium Cool (1969) by Richard C — 16 Nov 2006

Part documentary, part love story, Medium Cool is a prime example of American cinema in its ascendancy during the late 1960s/early 1970s. Combining societal, political and cultural commentary with innovative shooting techniques and off-beat editing, Wexler's attack on the growing influence and abuse of power by the media is delivered with genuine, raw energy.

Actual footage of the brutal battle between protestors and soldiers/police during the 1968 Democratic Convention effectively creates a palpable tension and captures the emotions swiriling around the US at time. Unfortunately, the overarching love story between the unlikely couple feels rather lightweight given the context it is set in and the relationship feels like more like filler than a strong plot vehicle.

Nonetheless the "documentary" aspect is an invigorating piece of cinema and should prove essential to those interested in the New Wave American cinema period or 20th Century American politics in general.